2003 Harvard Ukrainian Summer Institute: a student perspective (07/20/03)

2003 Harvard Ukrainian Summer Institute: a student perspective

by Svitlana Kobzar

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The campus was bursting with excitement, energy and curiosity when the 2003 Harvard Summer School opened its doors to greet this summer's participants who were arriving from around the world.

As a student at the Harvard Ukrainian Summer Institute (HUSI) this year, I am fortunate to be able to share my passion for Ukrainian studies with the professors, students, and staff at HUSI. For my colleagues and me, making new friends and immersing ourselves in the academically rigorous and culturally enriching programs, this surely will be a summer we'll never forget.

Nearly 42 percent of students attending the Ukrainian Summer Institute this year are from Europe. Twelve students are from Ukraine, and the rest are from Russia, Greece, Poland and the United States. Many are eager to learn Ukrainian by taking the language courses and by communicating with native speakers.

As Halyna Hryn, the 2003 HUSI director, pointed out, "The ideal situation for language study is, of course, an immersion environment, and we at HUSI make every attempt to create that environment." Professionals, as well as graduate and undergraduate students are challenged academically in learning to think about Ukraine in new ways.

In addition to the intense academic setting, HUSI offers many cultural activities related to Ukrainian studies. About twice a week there are special events such as literary readings, lectures by scholars and professors on contemporary issues in Ukraine, theater performances, art lectures and film screenings.

HUSI course offerings this summer include Ukrainian language, history, political science and literature classes taught by prominent scholars from around the world.

When asked what makes the 2003 HUSI program unique and different from last year's program, Patricia Coatsworth, the HUSI administrator, noted several things. One is a new interdisciplinary seminar, a theory and methodology course combining Ukrainian history, political science, and literature. Ms. Coatsworth also mentioned the unique mix of students, in particular, two students from Russia who are fluent in Ukrainian. The international composition of the attendees guarantees a mix of interesting experiences and fresh ideas.

Maria Liakata is originally from Greece. She is working on her Ph.D. in computational linguistics at the University of Oxford in England. Before that she spent a year at the University of Cambridge, where she began her doctoral work in the study of the interface between computers and the human voice.

HUSI found Ms. Liakata and encouraged her to apply to the Institute when they learned that she had won the 2001 Oxford Language Race - a competition based on how well participants can master a foreign language in only four weeks. At the end of the race each competitor is judged during an interview with a native speaker.

Of the five languages Ms. Liakata proposed, the Race Committee selected Ukrainian. She worked hard during the four weeks, learning grammar and vocabulary, listening to Ukrainian tapes, and meeting with Olena Ilyianska, an 18-year-old native Ukrainian.

Ms. Liakata said she found out about this competition by chance. In an interesting twist of fate, now she finds herself at Harvard enrolled in the intermediate level Ukrainian language and history courses. She noted that she is grateful for the institute's hospitality and pointed out the fact that the institute recruited her demonstrates that "they are very well informed."

Ms. Liakata said she believes that her participation in the Oxford Language Race and now her attendance at HUSI illustrate that "what initially begins as something very small suddenly can develop into something much greater." Meeting students from Ukraine and taking intensive courses in Ukrainian studies helps to "put the language into the context," she added.

Besides Ukrainian, Ms. Liakata speaks Greek, English, French, German and Spanish. She said she hopes to continue with her Ukrainian studies after this summer at Harvard.

One of my fellow Ukrainian students has recently graduated from Ivan Franko National University in Lviv with a master's degree in international economics. Nadia Volos is originally from Rohatyn, in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. HUSI is not her first international academic experience. Under the auspices of the German Academic Exchange Service, Ms. Volos spent a year in Germany studying business administration. During the summer of 2001 she spent three months in England taking an intensive course in business English.

When Ms. Volos found out about HUSI she said she "was impressed that it was the only program in North America that concentrates so thoroughly on Ukrainian studies." The strength of the Institute, she observed, lies in the intensity of its academic curriculum and the quality of the participants. "It is impressive to see so many people from around the world interested in Ukrainian studies - many of whom are able to communicate well in Ukrainian." Ms. Volos added that she hopes to take full advantage of the generous research facilities that Harvard provides, as well as to make new and lasting friendships.

Christopher Garth is a graduate student from the University of Michigan, where he is enrolled in the Russian and East European Studies program. He began studying Russian in high school and, while working on his undergraduate degree at Michigan State University, continued his study of the language.

He is interested in learning about the effects of genetically modified crops on Eastern Europe, in terms of both the environment and trade policy. Once he has his master's degree, Mr. Garth plans to pursue a Ph.D. in the areas of natural and agricultural resources and policies regarding trade and the impact of such policies on the environment.

Mr. Garth, too, is glad to participate in the HUSI program and said he is particularly struck by the combination of an "intensive language program as well as rich cultural offerings." He is also impressed, he said, with the founding of the Institute thanks to small donations from people who truly believed in the importance of Ukrainian studies. He commented that he is grateful for the energy and compassion shown by the staff and faculty at the Institute. "It is exactly what I hoped it to be," said Mr. Garth, who chose to study language and history and finds himself intrigued by the beauty of the Ukrainian language.

At HUSI this year, I found diverse backgrounds, inspiring experiences, and love for Ukrainian studies. It is my honor and privilege to share this passion and excitement while learning about my homeland with the faculty and students at Harvard.

Svitlana Kobzar, who came to the United States in 1998 as a 16-year-old exchange student, attends Alma College in Alma, Mich., and is majoring in foreign service. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. after which she would like to return and work in Ukraine, where her family resides. At the Harvard Summer Institute Ms. Kobzar is enrolled in "Modern Ukraine" (history), "Twentieth-Century Ukrainian Literature: Rethinking the Canon" and "Studying 20th Century Ukraine: Theory, Methodology, Identity" (interdisciplinary graduate seminar).

| Home Page |